Method and system for utilizing standardized interface in a wireless device to discover and use local and remote resources

ABSTRACT

A wireless mobile communication (WMC) device may discover available networks, and available local and/or remote resources. The WMC device may configure routes utilizing one or more of discovered resources and one or more available networks. The routes may be utilized to performed operations requested via the WMC device. A standardized language and/or protocol may be utilized in discovering and/or communicating with available resources and/or networks. The standardized language and/or protocol may enable commonality among the discovered networks and/or resources, and encryption of data communicated through the established routes. The standardized language and/or protocol may be updated and/or modified to incorporate new resources either by direct interactions between said new resources and the WMC device, or via existing available resources and/or networks. The discovery of resources and/or establishment of routes may be user-triggered, or it may be based on user preference information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application makes reference to, claims priority to andclaims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/950,972filed on Jul. 7, 2007.

The above stated application is hereby incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless devices. Morespecifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a methodand system for utilizing a standardized interface in a wireless deviceto discover and use local and remote resources.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of wireless communication has seen dramatic growth the lastfew years. In today's world, most people use their wireless devices forvarious purposes, business and personal, on a constant and daily basis.Society is truly becoming a wireless one. A lot of wireless solutionshave been introduced, and have made tremendous strides into everyday'slife.

For example, the use of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN) has beengaining popularity in a great number of applications because of theflexibility and convenience in connectivity they provide. WPAN systemsgenerally replace cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connectperipheral devices and/or mobile terminals by providing short distancewireless links that allow connectivity within very narrow spatial limits(typically, a 10-meter range). WPAN may be based on standardizedtechnologies, for example Class 2 Bluetooth (BT) technology. While WPANmay be very beneficial for certain applications, other applications mayrequire larger service areas and/or capabilities.

To satisfy such needs, other technologies have been developed to providegreater wireless service. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) systemsmay operate within a 100-meter range, for example. In contrast to theWPAN systems, WLAN provide connectivity to devices that are locatedwithin a slightly larger geographical area, such as the area covered bya building or a campus, for example. WLAN systems are generally based onspecific standards, for example IEEE 802.11 standard specifications, andtypically operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilizedto supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wiredLocal Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as theWLAN system.

Other forms of wireless solutions have evolved from traditionalland-based communication technologies. For example, cellular phones havebecome just about an absolute necessity in today's world. While cellulartechnology was merely intended to add an element of mobility to thetraditional telephony service, this technology has grown beyond thatinitial purpose. Many modern cellular technologies, including suchtechnologies as GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000, incorporatesubstantial data capabilities. Most of today's cellular servicescomprise such features as text messaging, audio/video streaming, and webbrowsing.

Some WLAN systems may be operated in conjunction with WPAN systems toprovide users with an enhanced overall functionality. For example,Bluetooth technology may be utilized to connect a laptop computer or ahandheld wireless terminal to a peripheral device, such as a keyboard,mouse, headphone, and/or printer, while the laptop computer or thehandheld wireless terminal is also connected to a campus-wide WLANnetwork through an access point (AP) located within the building. Also,cellular technology may allow use of the mobile phone as a form ofwireless modem that allows connecting a laptop, for example, to theinternet via a cellular network.

Devices aimed at taking advantage of the capabilities of wirelessnetworks may be described as wireless mobile communication (WMC)devices. Today's WMC devices may comprise such devices as cellularphones, PDA's, laptops, and/or other devices.

Most WMC devices nowadays offer more than simple communicativeoperations. These WMC devices, in addition to providing peer-to-peercommunication functions, may allow their users expansive list ofpersonal services and utilities. Some WMC devices may enable a broadscope of gaming, scheduling, task-organizational and/or other services.Additionally, more applications that traditionally were limited tonon-wireless and/or non-mobile devices may be used in conjunction withWMC devices. For example, email applications such as Microsoft Outlook®are finding their way to more WMC devices. Other applications that havegained popularity in recent years comprise audio/video applications suchas still and moving picture recording application and voice recordingapplications. These added capabilities and/or applications are slowlyturning WMC devices into indispensable on-the-move personal assistants.

However, the promising potential of WMC devices' uses beyond simplecommunicative operations remains stagnant because of some limitations inthe devices themselves, which may include such limitations as power,storage, and/or processing. Also, while a lot of work has been put intoexpanding WMC devices' potential utility, not a lot of work has been putinto convening these new utilities for their users. For example, whilethe WMC devices offer impressive array of recording, organizing, andtracking services, very little effort has been made to facilitateconvenient use of data.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention asset forth in the remainder of the present application with reference tothe drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method is provided for utilizing a standardizedinterface in a wireless device to discover and use local and remoteresources, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection withat least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communicationsetup between a wireless mobile communication (WMC) device and aresource, which may utilize standardized language and/or protocol, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary model for setupthat includes a wireless mobile communication (WMC) device communicatingwith remote and local resources, which may utilize standardized languageand/or protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless mobile communication(WMC) device configuring and using local and remote resources utilizingstandardized language and/or protocol, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a wireless mobile communication(WMC) device configuring and using networks and resources utilizingstandardized language and/or protocol, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and systemfor utilizing a standardized interface in a wireless device to discoverand use local and remote resources. A wireless mobile communication(WMC) device may discover available networks, and available resources.The discovered resource may be local resources located withincommunicative operational proximity to the WMC device and/or throughdiscovered networks; additionally, the discovered resources may compriseremote resources access through one of more of available networks. TheWMC device may configure routes utilizing one or more of discoveredresources and/or one or more available networks. The routes may beutilized to perform operations requested via the WMC device. Astandardized language and/or protocol may be utilized for discoveringand/or communicating with available resources and/or networks. Thestandardized language and/or protocol may enable commonality amongelements of established routes. The standardized language and/orprotocol may enable encryption of data communicated through theestablished routes. The standardized language and/or protocol may beupdated and/or modified to incorporate new resources either by directinteractions between said new resources and the WMC device, or viaexisting available resources and/or networks. The discovery of resourcesand/or establishment of routes may be user-triggered, or it may be basedon existing user preference information.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary communicationsetup between a wireless mobile communication (WMC) device and aresource, which may utilize standardized language and/or protocol, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1,there is shown a wireless mobile communication (WMC) device 102, aresource 104, and a connecting system 106.

The WMC device 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may enable performing wireless mobile communication. For example,the WMC device 102 may be utilized to perform voice, video and/or textmessage peer-to-peer communication. The WMC device 102 may also comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable performingadditional functionality comprising Internet browsing, video streaming,and/or audio recording and/or playback. For example, the WMC device 102may comprise a digital camera that may enable generating still digitalpictures and/or video streams, and/or the WMC device 102 may comprise amicrophone that may enable generating audio recordings. Additionally,the WMC device 102 may comprise a screen that may enable displayingexisting still digital pictures and/or playing back existing digitalvideo streams, and/or the WMC device 102 may comprise speakers that mayenable playing back existing audio files.

The resource 104 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code thatmay be enabled to communicate with the WMC device 102. The invention maynot be limited to a specific resource, but may comprise for example, ageneral purpose processing device, a specialized processing device,and/or a specialized peripheral device which may be enabled to performvarious jobs and/or tasks that may be requested by the WMC device 102.The resource 104 may comprise a personal computer (PC), ahigh-definition television (HDTV) set, a printer/scanner/fax device, adedicate memory storage device, and/or a digital video recorder device.For example, the resource 104 may comprise a home PC that may be morecapable or suitable of performing processing and/or storage operationsthan the WMC device 102 due to more powerful processing subsystemsand/or increased memory space compared to the WMC device 102. Such homePC may be better suited to perform processing and/or storage intensivetasks that otherwise would have to be performed in the WMC device 102. Anetworked HDTV monitor may be more suitable for display high definitionmultimedia content rather than the WMC device 102.

The connecting system 106 may comprise a plurality of interconnectingnetworks and suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabledto facilitate end-to-end communication between the WMC device 102 andthe resource 104. The connecting system 106 may comprise wireless and/orwired networks that may be enabled to communicate and forward messagingand/or data between the WMC device 102 and the resource 104. Theconnecting system 106 may be utilized to provide a transport and/orswitching fabric that may facilitate communication between the WMCdevice 102 and the resource 104.

In operation, the WMC device 102 may communicate with the resource 104through the connecting system 106, or alternatively, where possible, theWMC device 102 may communicate directly with the resource 104.

The WMC device 102 may be utilized for communicative tasks that maycomprise performing voice, video and/or text messaging peer-to-peercommunications with a corresponding end. The WMC device 102 may also beutilized for non-communicative tasks. For example, the WMC device 102may be utilized to create and/or play video, audio, and/or other typesof multimedia data files. The WMC device 102 may be enabled to performsuch non-communicative tasks internally. For example, the WMC device 102may create multimedia files directly utilizing a digital camera and/ormicrophone. The multimedia files may be stored directly in the WMCdevice 102, and may be displayed and/or played back when necessary.

The WMC device 102 may utilize the resource 104 for performing some ofthe communicative tasks requested in the WMC device 102. For example,where the resource 104 may comprise faxing capability, the WMC device102 may utilize the resource 104 to communicate a fax to a receivingend. The WMC device 102 may utilize the resource 104 for performing someof the non-communicative tasks requested in the WMC device 102. Forexample, where necessary and/or feasible, the WMC device 102 may utilizethe resource 104 to perform processing sub-tasks, to store data, and/orto display or to play multimedia files. Because of size and/or powerlimitations, storage capacity may be limited in the WMC device 102, andconsequently it may be desirable to store multimedia data files, whichgenerally are large files, in the resource 104 where such storage may befeasible. Alternatively, the WMC device 102 may utilize the resource 104for displaying and/or playing back multimedia data files. For example,where the resource 104 may offer improved display capability, such as HDcapability, the WMC device 102 may delegate display operation to theresource 104.

The WMC device 102 may be required to configure the resource 104 inorder to facilitate use of the resource 104. For example, in instanceswhere the resource 104 may comprise digital video recordingcapabilities, the WMC device 102 may be enabled to specify certainparameters and/or attributes to facilitate use of the resource 104 toperform digital video recording. The WMC device 102 may need to specifystart-time, end-time, and/or channel information.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, user preferenceinformation may be utilized in configuration operations. Creation,storage, and/or display or playback of such multimedia data files may bebased on direct user commands, and/or based on user preferenceinformation. User preference information may comprise specificconfiguration and/or use settings that may be utilized for each specifictype of resources that the WMC device 102 may be capable ofcommunicating with. For example, the user preference information maycomprise settings to be utilized while operating an HDTV of certainmake/model.

The WMC device 102 may utilize a standardized language and/or protocolin configuration and/or operations of resources. The standardizedlanguage and/or protocol may comprise information and/or mechanisms thatmay enable the WMC device 102 to communicate with desired resources. Forexample, the standardized language and/or protocol may comprise look-uptables that specify available capabilities for known resources based onclass and/or make/model. The standardized language and/or protocol maycomprise a mechanism that enable the resources to report to the WMCdevice 102 available capabilities in said resources based on directinquiry by the WMC device 102, and/or where a specified event may occur.For example, the standardized language and/or protocol may specify thata storage resource may send a notification to the WMC device 102 whenstorage space of certain size may become available. The standardizedlanguage and/or protocol may require a specific format that resourcescommunicating with the WMC device 102 would have to utilize, wherein acommon parsing functionality may enable the WMC device 102 to analyzethe capabilities and availability on resources.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary model for setupthat includes a wireless mobile communication (WMC) device andresources, which may utilize standardized language and/or protocol, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2,there is shown the WMC device 102, resources 204 a and 204 b, an accesspoint 206, a distribution network 208, a wireless network 210, acellular tower 212, a cellular network 214, a backbone network 216, ahome network 218, a wireless link 120, a cellular link 222, an accessorydevice 224, and a RF link 226.

The resources 204 a and 204 b may be comprises substantially similar tothe resource 104. Additionally, the resource 204 b may also comprisesuitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable wirelessconnectivity, wherein the WMC device 102 may communicate directly withthe resource 204 b via a wireless connection.

The wireless network 210 may comprise a plurality of the access point206, the distribution network 208 and suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode that may enable implementing a functional block corresponding to awireless technology. Exemplary wireless technology may comprise forexample the IEEE 802.11 (WLAN) or WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) architecture. Theaccess point 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or codethat may be utilized to provide the necessary access infrastructure forthe WMC device 102 to access the wireless network 210. The distributionnetwork 108 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that maybe adapted to operate as a backbone network that may be responsible fortransport and link functionality for a plurality of access points in thewireless network 210.

The cellular network 214 may comprise plurality of the cellular tower212 or base stations, and suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that mayenable implementing a functional block corresponding to a cellulartechnology. Exemplary cellular technology may comprise cellulartechnologies that enable data services, including but not limited to,CDMA, WCDMA, CDMA1000, HSDPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS.

The accessory device 224 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode that may enable performing some accessory functionality inconjunction with the use of the WMC device 102. For example, theaccessory device may comprise a hands-free headset. The WMC device 102may interact with the accessory device 224 over a short-range RF link226, for example. The RF link 226 may utilize, for example, astandardized technology for inter-device short range communication. Forexample, the RF link 226 may correspond to a Bluetooth® connection orZigBee connection between the accessory device 224 and the WMC device102.

The home network 218 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may enable local connectivity. This local connectivity may compriseuse of Local Area Network (LAN) technologies that enable data services,including but not limited to, IEEE 802.3 Ethernet. Other technologiesmay comprise WiMAX.

The backbone network 216 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/orcode that may be adapted to provide overall system connectivity betweensub-networks. The backbone network 216 may be enabled to interact with,and connect different wired and/or wireless technologies. For example,the backbone network 216 may comprise a standard telephony network(POTS) that may enable data connectivity between different interfacenodes linking wired and/or wireless networks comprising WLAN networks,WiMAX networks, cellular networks, and/or LAN networks.

In operation, the WMC device 102 may utilize the wireless link 220 toaccess the wireless network 210 via the access point 206. The WMC device102 may also utilize the cellular link 222 to access the cellularnetwork 214 via the cellular tower 212. The WMC device 102 may attemptto communicate with the resource 204 a via the wireless network 210through the access point 206 and the distribution network 208. Thedistribution network 208 may enable forwarding messages and/or data sentfrom/to the WMC device 102. The backbone network 216 may enableconnectivity between local networks, for example wireless network 210,and cellular network 214. Additionally the backbone network 216 mayenable connectivity with the home network 218. The home network 218 mayenable indirect connectivity between the WMC device 102 and remoteresources. The resource 204 a may receive communication from the WMCdevice 102 by interacting with the backbone network 216 through the homenetwork 218. Necessary protocol-based operations may be performed tofacilitate the transmission of information through all the differentcomponents. This may comprise use of exemplary protocols such as IP, andSS7.

The resource 204 b may operate similar to the resource 104 as describedin FIG. 1. However, the WMC device 102 may communicate directly with theresource 204 b over a wireless connection. The resource 204 b may beoperated as a stand-alone device, or it may be operated within acompatible network, wherein the resource may be integrated. The abilityto communicate directly with the resource 204 b may allow improvedutilization of the resource 204 b by the WMC device 102. The directwireless connection between the WMC device 102 and the resource 204 bmay enable faster and more reliable communication between the twodevices. The improvement may be due to the characteristics of thewireless connection between the resource 204 b and the WMC device 102,for example having greater bandwidth. The improvement may also be due toreduced delays compared to setups where the WMC device 102 may have tocommunicate with the resource 104 through a plurality of connectingnetworks and/or entities.

Once the WMC device 102 establishes connectivity with the resources 204a and/or 204 b, the WMC device 102 may utilize the resources 204 aand/or 204 b in operations substantially as described in FIG. 1. The WMCdevice 102 may utilize the resources 204 a and/or 204 b to perform someof the communicative and/or non-communicative tasks requested in the WMCdevice 102. For example, WMC device 102 may utilize the resources 204 aand/or 204 b to communicate a fax to a receiving end, to performprocessing tasks, to store data, and/or to display or to play multimediadata files.

The standardized language and/or protocol may enable the WMC device 102to utilize its connectivity in discovery of available resources. Forexample, the WMC device 102 may establish connectivity with the cellularnetwork 214 via the cellular tower 212. The cellular network 214 may beenabled to utilize the standardized language and/or protocol that theWMC device 102 may utilize in communicating with, and/or delegatingtasks through to available resources. Once connectivity is establishedbetween the WMC device 102 and the cellular network 214, the WMC device102 may utilize the standardized language and/or interface inquire aboutthe availability of a class of resources that may comprise the remoteresource 204 a. The cellular network 214 may utilize the standardizedlanguage and/or protocol to report to the WMC device 102 theavailability of the remote resource 204 a, which the cellular network214 may be enable to communicate with through the backbone network 216and the home network 218. The standardized language and/or protocol mayalso enable direct auto discovery of available resources in the WMCdevice 102. For example, the WMC device 102 may utilize the standardizedlanguage and/or protocol to transmit, within the operational proximityof the WMC device 102, discovery inquiry for class of resources that maycomprise the local resource 204 b. Wherein the resource 204 b mayreceive the discovery inquiry transmitted by the WMC device 102, theresource 204 b may utilize the standardize language and/or interface tocommunicate directly, via wireless connection, with the WMC device 102,and/or to perform tasks requested by the WMC device 102.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless mobile communication(WMC) device configuring and using local and remote resources utilizingstandardized language and/or protocol, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the WMC device102, the access point 206, the backbone network 216, the home network218, a local PC host 302, an audio system 304, an HDTV monitor 306, aprinter/scanner/fax 308, a storage device 310, a PC host 312, a wiredhost PC 314, and a digital video recorder (DVR) 316.

The PC host 302, the PC host 312, and the PC host 314 may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled of performingcomputing, processing and storage management operations. Additionally,the PC host 302 and the PC host 302 may also comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code that may enable wireless connectivity based on awireless protocol that may comprise WiFi (IEEE 802.11). The storagedevice 310 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that maybe enabled of performing of dedicated memory storage operations. Forexample, the storage device 310 may comprise an external storage devicesuch as a zip drive.

The audio system 304 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may be enabled to perform audio play operations. For example, theaudio system 304 may comprise an A/V (audio/video) receiver and a set ofspeakers for surround system. The HDTV monitor 306 may comprise suitablelogic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled of performing HighDefinition (HD) television display operations. The printer/scanner/fax308 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may beenabled of performing of document printing operations, digital scanning,and/or faxing operations. The DVR 316 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code that may be enabled of performing digital videorecording operation wherein multimedia data files may be generatedand/or stored. For example, the DVR 316 may comprise a TiVo® receiverunit.

The PC host 302, the audio system 304, the HDTV monitor 306, and theprinter/scanner/fax 308 are coupled to the wireless network 210 via theaccess point 206, which is also communicatively couple with the WMCdevice 102. Alternatively, these resources may be communicativelycoupled, via wired and/or wireless connections, to other local networks,such as the cellular network 314 for example. Also, any number ofnetworked multimedia input/output devices may be utilized.

The storage device 310, the PC host 312, the wired host PC 314, and DVR316 are coupled to the home network 218 via wired and/or wirelessconnections that may utilizing any of a plurality of protocols that maycomprise Bluetooth©, WiFi, and/or WiMAX. The number of devices coupledto the home network 218 need not be limited to the number shown in FIG.2. Accordingly, any number of networked multimedia input/output devicesmay be utilized.

In operation, some of the local devices to the WMC device 102 mayannounce their capabilities and availability in instances when the WMCdevice 102 comes in range of them and discovers the wired or wirelessnetwork that links them. For example, the HDTV 306 and/or theprinter/scanner/fax 308 may communicate to the WMC device 102 theircapabilities and/or availability when WMC device 102 may be sufficientlywithin communicative operational proximity with these devices. Otherlocal devices that may not be sufficiently within communicativeoperational proximity with the WMC device 102 may announce theircapabilities and availability via available local networks. For example,the PC host 302 and/or the audio system 304 may utilize the access point206 to announce their capabilities and/or availability to the WMC device102.

Remote resource may also be enabled to announce their capabilitiesand/or availability to the WMC device 102. For example, the PC hosts 312and 314, the DVR 316, and/or storage device 310 may be enabled toannounce their capabilities and/or availability to the WMC device 102via the home network 218, the backbone network 216, and the access point206.

A standardized language and/or protocol may be utilized to enable theWMC device 102, the local resources, and the remote resources to performthe announcing operations. The standardized language and/or protocol maybe utilized in creating announcement messages that detail resources andtheir capabilities, which the WMC device 102 may utilize to performdiscovery of local resources by listening and logging to theseannouncement messages. For example, the standardized language and/orprotocol may specify formats that resources may use to communicate anysuch capabilities and/or availability to the WMC device 102. AnExemplary format for a resource announcement message may compriseinformation pertaining to type of resource, type of services and/orcapabilities available in the resource, load and/or availability of theresource, and/or any other relevant information the WMC device 102 mayutilize. Utilizing standardized format may enable to the WMC device 102to parse through messaging received from all the local and remoteresources more effectively and/or efficiently.

In another embodiment of the invention, the WMC device 102 may poll foravailable networks and resources. In this manner, the WMC device 102 maymaintain a list of local resources that it may communicate with alongwith their capabilities. The WMC device 102 may also keep a list ofremote resources available on its home network and may update that listand the bandwidth capabilities of its connection to the home network 218via locally available networks at all times. In instances when the userof the WMC device 102 may wish to accomplish a certain multimedia orcommunications task, the WMC device 102 may configure the local andremote resources in order to accomplish the multimedia or communicationstask. The standardized language and/or protocol may be utilized toimprove the efficiency of performing necessary operations by enablingthe resources and the WMC device 102 to communicate via common languagethat may enable each part of the overall setup to “understand” remainingcomponents.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the home network 218resources may comprise powerful processing and/or computing capabilitiesthat may be provided by the PC host 314 and/or PC host 312, largestorage capabilities that may be further improved with the use of thestorage device 310, and transcoding capabilities and local digital videostorage that may be provided by the DVR 316. In addition, the WMC device102 may be connected to a wireless network that includes the HDTVmonitor 306 that may be available for use and have high bandwidthconnectivity via the access point 206 and the backbone network 216 tothe home network 218. The WMC device 102 may create an ad hoc virtualnetwork of devices from the home network 218 to the local resources.This may provide a route for data to be communicated between remote andlocal resources. For example, multimedia data files may be streamed fromthe DVR 316, through the PC host 314 for transcoding to a display formatthat may be suitable for the HDTV monitor 306. The transcoded data maythen be communicated through formed routes to the HDTV monitor 306 fordisplay. The WMC device 102 may also configure the ad hoc virtualnetwork and the audio system 304 to play audio that corresponds to thevideo playing on the HDTV monitor 306.

The standardized language and/or protocol may be utilized in configuringthe ad hoc network and linking of resources described above. The WMCdevice 102 may utilize the standardized language and/or protocol increating and updating its list of local and remote resources whenevernetwork locality changes. The standardized language and/or protocol maybe utilized in creating configuration and/or control messages that maycommunicated to resources that may need to participate in the ad hocknetwork. For example, the standardized language and/or protocol mayspecify formats that WMC device 102 and/or resources may utilizing incommunicating required settings, routing information, and/or occurrencesof expected events and/or conditions. Format may target/source resource,type of services and/or tasks to be performed, and/or any other relevantinformation necessary to the performances of the requested operations.Utilizing the standardized format may improve efficiency of performingrequested tasks within any such ad hoc network because the commonalityin communicating control and/or configuration messages enable theresources and/or the WMC device 102 to interact directly.

Because data may be communicated through plurality of nodes, where otherusers may have access, security may be a concern. Therefore, data thatmay be communicated between the WMC device 102 and the resources may beencrypted or otherwise coded for improved security. The standardizedlanguage and/or protocol may comprise encryption to facilitate suchsecurity services. For example, messages composed based on thestandardized language and/or protocol may be encoded and decoded basedon proprietary and/or standard-based algorithms.

The WMC device 102 may build the ad hoc network based on the user'srequest for a particular function and the availability of resources. Forexample, there may be multiple display devices available in a localnetwork, such as the small screen on the WMC device 102 and a largernetworked display, such as the HDTV monitor 306. The WMC device 102 maypick the best means of displaying the content based on the bandwidth ofthe various heterogeneous networks that may be traversed, therequirement and availability of transcoding resources, and the batterypower available on the WMC device 102. In instances where there may besufficient battery and CPU resources available in the WMC device 102,the WMC device 102 may choose to perform the transcoding functionslocally. In instances where transcoding may not be available, the WMCdevice 102 could display the content on a display appropriate for thatcontent. Alternatively, the WMC device 102 may manage local and/orremote resources based on user preference information that may specifysuch data as when/how/if to use a resource. For example, the userpreference information may specify that the WMC device 102 may utilizethe closest PC host available. Accordingly, where the WMC device 102 maydetermine the availability of both PC hosts 302 and 312, the WMC device102 may choose, based on the user preference information, to utilize thePC host 302 to delegate any computing operations rather then the PC host312.

In an embodiment of the invention, the standardized language and/orprotocol may be modified to support previously unknown resources. Forexample, where the WMC device 102 may have not previously interactedwith printer/scanner/fax 308, the WMC device 102 may update thestandardized language and/or protocol to enable discovery of theprinter/scanner/fax 308 in the future. Announcement messages may beupdated and/or created to enable inclusion of information that may beutilized to identify the printer/scanner/fax 308, and to enable theprinter/scanner/fax 308 to report its capabilities and/or availabilityto the WMC device 102. Alternatively, the standardized language and/orprotocol may be updated based on interactions between the WMC device 102and a known resource, wherein the resource may provide information thatenable updating the standardized language and/or protocol. For example,the host PC 312 may make and/or keep a look-up table of resources thatthe host PC 312 may interact with and/or utilize. The PC host 312 mayforward such look-up table to the WMC device 102, wherein the WMC device102 may update the standardized language and/or protocol based on thelook-up tables received from the PC host 312, wherein resources notpreviously supported may be incorporated into announcement,configuration, and/or control messages based on the standardizedlanguage and/or protocol.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a wireless mobile communication(WMC) device configuring and using networks and resources utilizingstandardized language and/or protocol, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown flow 400. In step402, the process may commence. The commencement of the process may occurwhen communicative and/or non-communicative operation may be requestedvia the WMC device 102. In step 404, an evaluation of the requestedoperation may be performed. The evaluation of the requested operationmay determine the need to utilize networks and/or resources forperforming the requested operations. For example, where the requestedoperation is playing a multimedia file that may be stored within thehome network 218 of the WMC device 102, the WMC device 102 may need toutilize networks and/or resource to gain access to the home network 218.In step 406, the WMC device 102 may determine available networksnecessary to complete the requested operation. For example, wherein theWMC device 102 may be requested to play a multimedia file stored withinthe home network 218, the WMC device 102 may determine that the accesspoint 206 and the backbone 216 may be used to communicate with the homenetwork 218.

In step 408, the WMC device 102 may discover available resources. TheWMC device 102 may perform tasks necessary for discovery of theresources locally and/or through available networks. The discovery ofresources may be based on announcement messages sent out by theresources and/or based on the WMC device 102 polling on the capabilitiesand/or availability of detected resources either directly, or throughavailable networks, substantially as described in FIG. 3. For example,the WMC device 102 may determine that local resources HDTM monitor 306and/or audio system 304, and remote resources DVR 316, storage device310, and/or PC host 312 may be utilized in retrieving and playing amultimedia file available in the home network 218.

A standardized language and/or protocol may be utilized to enable theWMC device 102, the local resources, and the remote resources to performthe announcing operations. The standardized language and/or protocol maybe utilized for performing the announcement and/or polling operations.For example, the standardized language and/or protocol may specifyformats that resources may use in communicating any such capabilitiesand/or availability to the WMC device 102 to view announcement messages.The format may comprise type of resource, type of services and/orcapabilities available in said resource, load and/or availability ofsaid resources, and/or any other relevant information the WMC device 102may utilize. Utilizing standardized format may enable to the WMC device102 to parse through messaging received from all the local and remoteresources more effectively and/or efficiently.

In step 410, the WMC device 102 may configure routes necessary toperform the requested operation. For example, where the WMC device 102may be requested to play a multimedia file that may be stored within thehome network 218, the WMC device 102 may create an ad hoc virtualnetwork of devices from the home network 218 to the local resources.This may provide a route for data to be communicated between remote andlocal resources. For example, multimedia data files may be streamed fromthe DVR 316, through the PC host 314 for transcoding or re-encoding to adisplay format that may be suitable for the HDTV monitor 306. Thetranscoded or re-encoded data may then be communicated through formedrouts to the HDTV monitor 306 for display. The WMC device 102 may alsoconfigure the ad hoc virtual network and the audio system 304 to playaudio that corresponds to the video playing on the HDTV monitor 306.

In step 412, the WMC device 102 may communicate with discoveredresources to facilitate performing requested operation. For example,where the WMC device 102 may be requested to play a multimedia file thatmay be stored within the home network 218, the WMC device 102 mayconfigure the HDTV monitor 306 and/or the audio system 304 to ensurethat the multimedia file routed from the home network 218 may be playedsuccessfully. Additionally, the WMC device 102 may communicate controlmessage, where necessary, to facilitate performing the requestedoperation. For example, the WMC device 102 may communicate with the PChost 314 to facilitate performing any necessary transcoding tasks thatmay enable performing necessary conversion tasks that ensure the formatof the routed data may be comparable with the HDTV monitor 306 and/oraudio system 304. In communicating with discovered resources and/ornetwork, the WMC device 102 may utilize the standardized language and/orprotocol. The standardized language and/or protocol may be utilized increating configuration and/or control messages that may communicated toresources that may need to participate in the ad hock network. Forexample, the standardized language and/or protocol may specify formatsthat WMC device 102 and/or resources may utilizing in communicatingrequired settings, routing information, and/or occurrences of expectedevents and/or conditions. Format may include target/source resource,type of services and/or tasks to be performed, and/or any other relevantinformation necessary to the performances of the requested operations.

In step 414, a determination whether the standardized language and/orprotocol may need to be updated is performed. In the instance that theoutcome of the determination in step 414 indicate that no update isnecessary, the process may terminate. Returning to step 414, ininstances where the outcome of the determination in step 414 indicatethat updating the standardized language and/or protocol may benecessary, the process may proceed to step 416. In step 416, thestandardized language and/or protocol may be updated. The standardizedlanguage and/or protocol may be modified to support previously unknownresources. For example, in instances where the WMC device 102 may havenot previously interacted with printer/scanner/fax 308, the WMC device102 may update the standardized language and/or protocol to enablediscovery of the printer/scanner/fax 308 in the future. Consequently,announcement, configuration, and/or control messages may be updated toenable inclusion of information that may be utilized to identify theprinter/scanner/fax 308, to enable the printer/scanner/fax 308 to reportits capabilities and/or availability, and to receive configurationand/or control information form the WMC device 102. Alternatively, thestandardized language and/or protocol may be updated based oninteractions between the WMC device 102 and a known resource, whereinthe resource may provide information that enable updating thestandardized language and/or protocol. For example, the host PC 312 maymake and/or keep a look-up table of resources that the host PC 312 mayinteract with and/or utilize. The PC host 312 may forward such look-upto the WMC device 102, wherein the WMC device 102 may update thestandardized language and/or protocol based on the look-up tablesreceived from the PC host 312, wherein resources not previouslysupported may be incorporated into announcement, configuration, and/orcontrol messages based on the standardized language and/or protocol.

Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a method and systemfor utilizing standardized interface in a wireless device to discoverand use local and remote resources. The WMC device 102 may discoveravailable networks, and available resources. The discovered resource maybe local resources located within communicative operational proximity tothe WMC device and/or through discovered networks; for example, HDTVmonitor 306 and/or audio system 304. Additionally, the discoveredresources may comprise remote resources access through one of more ofavailable networks; for example the DVR 316 and/or PC host 314. The WMCdevice 102 may configure routes utilizing one or more of discoveredresources and one or more available networks. The routes may be utilizedto perform operations requested via the WMC device 102. A standardizedlanguage and/or protocol may be utilized in discovering and/orcommunicating with available resources and/or networks. The standardizedlanguage and/or protocol may enable commonality among elements ofestablished routes. The standardized language and/or protocol may enableencryption of data communicate through the established routes. Thestandardized language and/or protocol may be updated and/or modified toincorporate new resources either by direct interactions between said newresources and the WMC device 102; or via existing available resourcesand/or networks. The discovery of resources and/or establishment ofroutes may be user-trigger, or it may be based on existing userpreference information.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readablestorage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least onecode section executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine toperform the steps as described herein for utilizing standardizedinterface in a wireless device to discover and use local and remoteresources.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elementsare spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising: in awireless mobile communication device, discovering available networks andresources available via said available networks; establishing one ormore routes between said wireless mobile communication device and aselected one or more of said available resources via a selected one ormore of said available networks based on user preference informationassociated with a user of said wireless mobile communication device; andutilizing a standardized language and/or protocol to communicate withsaid selected one or more of said available resources and/or saidselected one or more of said available networks.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein said standardized language and/or protocol compriselook-up tables that enable identifying any of said available resourcesand/or available networks.
 3. The method according to claim 1,comprising modifying said standardized language and/or protocol toenable communication with resources and/or networks that are notsupported in said standardized language and/or protocol prior to saidmodifications.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein saidmodification of said standardized language and/or protocol is based onself-learned information associated with said discovery of saidavailable networks and/or resources available.
 5. The method accordingto claim 2, wherein said modification of said standardized languageand/or protocol is based on information received from one or more ofsaid available resources and/or available networks.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said user preferenceinformation is stored external to said wireless mobile communicationdevice.
 7. The method according to claim 1, comprising retrieving atleast a portion of said user preference information from an input bysaid particular user of wireless mobile transmitting/receiving device.8. The method according to claim 1, comprising configuring at least oneor more of available networks and/or resources to enable utilizing saidstandardized language and/or protocol.
 9. The method according to claim1, wherein said resources are local to said wireless mobilecommunication device.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidresources are remote to said wireless mobile communication device. 11.The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating via saidselected one or more of said available resources via said establishedroute data that is generated and/or maintained in said wireless mobilecommunication device.
 12. The method according to claim 11, comprisingreceiving at least a portion of said data from one or more resources.13. The method according to claim 11, comprising transcoding orre-encoding said communicated data to enable utilizing said standardizedlanguage and/or protocol.
 14. The method according to claim 11,comprising encrypting at least a portion of said communicated data. 15.A system for wireless communication, the system comprising: one or moreprocessors within a wireless mobile communication device that discoversavailable networks and resources available via said available networks;said one or more processors establishes one or more routes between saidwireless mobile communication device and a selected one or more of saidavailable resources via a selected one or more of said availablenetworks based on user preference information associated with a user ofsaid wireless mobile communication device; and said one or moreprocessors utilizes a standardized language and/or protocol tocommunicate with said selected one or more of said available resourcesand/or said selected one or more of said available networks.
 16. Thesystem according to claim 15, wherein said standardized language and/orprotocol comprise look-up tables that enable identifying any of saidavailable resources and/or available networks.
 17. The system accordingto claim 15, wherein said one or more processors modifies saidstandardized language and/or protocol to enable communication withresources and/or networks that are not supported in said standardizedlanguage and/or protocol prior to said modifications.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 17, wherein said modification of said standardizedlanguage and/or protocol is based on self-learned information associatedwith said discovery of said available networks and/or resourcesavailable.
 19. The system according to claim 16, wherein saidmodification of said standardized language and/or protocol is based oninformation received from one or more of said available resources and/oravailable networks.
 20. The system according to claim 15, wherein atleast a portion of said user preference information is stored externalto said wireless mobile communication device.
 21. The system accordingto claim 15, wherein said one or more processors retrieves at least aportion of said user preference information from an input by saidparticular user of wireless mobile transmitting/receiving device. 22.The system according to claim 15, wherein said one or more processorsconfigures at least one or more of available networks and/or resourcesto enable utilizing said standardized language and/or protocol.
 23. Thesystem according to claim 15, wherein said resources are local to saidwireless mobile communication device.
 24. The system according to claim15, wherein said resources are remote to said wireless mobilecommunication device.
 25. The system according to claim 15, wherein saidone or more processors enables communication via said selected one ormore of said available resources via said established route data that isgenerated and/or maintained in said wireless mobile communicationdevice.
 26. The system according to claim 25, wherein said one or moreprocessors receives at least a portion of said data from one or moreresources.
 27. The system according to claim 25, wherein said one ormore processors transcodes or re-encoded said communicated data toenable utilizing said standardized language and/or protocol.
 28. Thesystem according to claim 25, wherein said one or more processorsenables encryption of at least a portion of said communicated data.